Aussie Tour de France hopeful falls back

STAGE nine of the Tour De France was moving day but sadly for Australian hopeful Richie Porte, his move was down the field from third to fifth overall as the leader's yellow jersey also changed hands.

Porte, who assumed leadership of the Sky team when Chris Froome crashed out, is 3mins 32 secs off the lead which is now held by Frenchman Tony Gallopin after previous leader Vincenzo Nibali had a bad day in the saddle.

German veteran Tony Martin took the stage win after breaking away with Italian Alessandro De Marchi between Gerardmer and Mulhouse.

Gallopin was part of a group of 20 chasers and came home 2min 45sec later with the peloton a further five minutes further back.

Former winner Alberto Contador also struggled and is down three places to ninth at 4mins 08 seconds.

Gallopin was set to wear the yellow jersey on Bastille Day overnight before the riders have a rest day.